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I would call the neuro office and tell them your predicament! Like Graciesmom said maybe they can recommend a vet. We had similar troubles and had to switch to several different vets to get a referral. So glad I did! I ended up getting apologies from one of the GP vets. I've always told the vets "It will make me feel better to see a specialist so I know what I'm dealing with". Any vet who does not care what the owner thinks should not be in the profession IMO. After all they are our furry children we are trusting them to care for! Can you imagine the outrage if a human doctor or even worse a pediatrician had similar excuses!!! It would be all over the media! I don't understand how vets can be like this!

I hope you get this all sorted out. Maybe Nicki would have some advise on who to go see?

What a mess, just wanted to say I am so sorry you are going through all this. BTW, NSAID's also have long term side effects.......so what the heck is he talking about! Read Pat's post to (I think) Brian about using different fluid reducers that don't have as many or little long term side effects.

Never thought of calling them direct to see if they could advise something. I know Edinburgh does a normal vet practice too, but hopefully I can find something closer.

Cindy thanks, I saw Pat's post when I read Brian's thread earlier.

You'd think the way the vet was going on that I have asked him to operate on her without a general anesthetic or chop a healthy limb off. All I want is a MRI scan, sure I know there can be a risk with a GA, but she'll be checked first to make sure she's fit. He made me out to be a right selfish cow, as if only I will benefit from a scan

I guess I need to be patient to Monday, I should take a leaf out of my little Princesses book, she's snoozing right now

Just received a call from the other vets. They have had cavaliers at their practice that suffered from SM. Unfortunately two are away to the bridge, but the fact that they have knowledge of SM is a good start.

I've booked Misty in at 16:50 on Wednesday to be checked over. I did ask his opinion on MRI scans, and he said where the pet is insured or the owner can afford it they advise a referral. He said the more scanned at a teaching hospital like Glasgow the more that can be learnt. He did advise that finding a balance of drugs can be difficult, and depending on the dog may not prolong their life more than a few years. However, not to worry about anything until he's seen Misty in person. He's away to request her records from my current vet.

Within 15 minutes of me speaking to the other practice my vet was on the phone asking if there was a problem. I simply said I was unhappy at the lack of help in trying to get a referral, and I felt it best to get a second opinion. He mumbled something about how he had been willing to speak to a neuro this week, and to call him back it I wanted him to do so. Grrr, funny how potentially losing a client or money is finally enough to prove how serious I am.

For heaven's sake...

Should not have to come to this!! And he apparently does not know how much medications can help and even surgery can help some dogs too. He should be more informed on the condition. Maybe you should recommend he some education on Cavalier health in general.

Originally Posted by murphy's mum

Thank you

Within 15 minutes of me speaking to the other practice my vet was on the phone asking if there was a problem. I simply said I was unhappy at the lack of help in trying to get a referral, and I felt it best to get a second opinion. He mumbled something about how he had been willing to speak to a neuro this week, and to call him back it I wanted him to do so. Grrr, funny how potentially losing a client or money is finally enough to prove how serious I am.

So sorry - I wrote a long reply to this yesterday but have been having Internet connection problems and it lost it

So pleased you are finally getting vet support - they are very like a GP/doctor and can't possibly be experts in everything. Something like this really needs a referral to a specialist - you can ask a vet for a referral and they should do that - remember you are the client. For some years now I have treated by vets as partners in the care of my dogs - respectfully of course! Sadly I recently had to change vets but now have a really good relationship with the new practice. If a vet is not prepared to listen or be prepared to read information you take in for them and listen to your concerns and suggestions, then they are not the best partner and as you have had to do in this case, you are best finding a new vet.

Glasgow are absolutely brilliant, the neurologist I saw was Maria Ortego but you can't request to see a specific person, it depends who is available. Maria was very thorough, and had a lovely bedside manner with Kayleigh. When we went back in for the results, my friend came with me - she had not seen an MRI scan like this before, and as Jane expressed interest, Maria took the time to explain it to her, and to compare it with that of an [anonymous] dog sadly diagnosed with severe SM a few days before, pointing out the syrinxes etc.

I was really impressed with all the staff, the cleaners kindly asked us if Kayleigh was ok with the vacuum before switching it on in our vicinity [we were there after hours as Maria had been called in for emergency surgery]

Maria has very kindly been answering my questions in e-mails too!

The new hospital is fantastic, it has been very thoughtfully designed to give the most welcoming atmosphere with minimal stress to the animals.

I wish I was a bit nearer as I would meet you there please try to take someone with you, it really helps to have someone else to listen and to give support.

There is a cafe area upstairs, with very reasonably priced drink and snack machines [sandwiches, yogurts, even vegan date and nut bars which were yummy!] - and the best coffee I've ever had from a coffee machine!

Often the MRI scan is the day following the consultation, so be prepared for that. The insurance company should be able to do a preauthorisation for you, takes about 48 hours to get a telephone confirmation [they will need to contact your vet], and then a written confirmation. Glasgow ask you to take two insurance claim forms - you have to pay for the consult at the time, but they will claim direct for the MRI if you take in your valid policy.

I do hope the appointment with the other vet goes well, print off the relevant info from http://sm.cavaliertalk.com/, also it helps to take in a history and symptoms you are seeing [you should be able to get your old vets to print off a clinical history, if they won't do this, ask them to fax it through to the new vet]

I would be very angry, as well, that this vet wasn't taking you seriously. You know your dog better than anyone. I am glad it will all be resolved.

I did want to point out one thing, though, in case it helps a dog suffering with SM pain. MRIs are very expensive, especially here in the US (here in Atlanta it is around $2,000). When I first got Scarlett she was about a year and a half-- her breeder had leukemia and had to place her. I offered to take her in. As time went by, I started to notice some SM-like symptoms (air scratching, limping with her back leg- always the same side, head rubbing). At that point in time, I simply couldn't afford the $2,000 to MRI her but I had done a lot of research and knew what I was seeing. I talked with my vet and we decided to try her on the Gabapentin and see if we saw improvements, as typically, Gabapentin helps SM. As soon as I started her on the meds, things dramatically improved. I did take her in to see the neurologist a few months later for a consult and ohysical exam and brought video with me. The neuro agreed it was most likely SM and added omeprazole to her meds. All of this made a huge difference in her quality of life.

I have since had her MRId and she has a horrible case of SM. Even though I couldn't afford the MRI at first, if I hadn't started her on SM meds, she would have suffered quite a bit. So, sometimes, if you work closely with your vet that you trust, you can try the SM meds to see if they help the symptoms. Of course, an MRI is always the best route, but it isn't always financially possible.